CO candidate Jen Mueller and CO field training officer Kipp Duncan of Duluth were on patrol in Two Harbors when they made the discovery.

“We pulled into a parking lot and inside the bed of a pickup truck we saw a shopping cart completely covered with zebra mussels,” said Mueller.

The owner of the truck, 51 year old Bruce A. Hinsverk, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, told the officers he was on vacation and saw the shopping cart next to two dumpsters near Lake Superior. He planned to drive up the North Shore to Grand Marais before returning to North Dakota with the shopping cart.

“He thought it was unique to have a cart with mussels attached and that it would make a nice addition to his business,” Mueller said, "so he placed it in his truck. He did not know it was illegal to transport invasive species.”

Hinsverk was cited for unlawfully possessing or transporting a prohibited invasive species other than aquatic macrophyte. He was given instructions on how to appeal or pay the $500 fine.

While securing the infested cart, the officers noticed that some zebra mussels were still alive.

They drove to an area near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth harbor where Hinsverk said he had found the cart.

There they discovered zebra mussels on the ground next to the two dumpsters.

Lake Superior is infested with zebra mussels. It’s unknown how the shopping cart made its way from the lake to near the dumpsters.

To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, anglers and boaters are required by law to:• Drain bait buckets, bilges and live wells before leaving any water access.• Remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species from boats and trailers. • Pull the plug on their boat and drain all water when leaving all waters of the state.• Keep the drain plug out while transporting water-related equipment on roadways.• Keep boatlifts and docks out of the water for 21 days before placing in another water body.